Ubuntu Server Creation Help?

The desk in the corner | 02/08/09 | Tennessee_Bob

[JerseyHighlander]

Bump.

[FrogBurger]

You mention that you want the Ubuntu machine to host a web site. Yet you also said the machine was inside your firewall. Do you know how to set up your router to that effect, or would you like some guidance?

[FrogBurger]

dayglored, the new ntfs_ng drivers can read/Write an NTFS partition without trouble.

[ShadowAce]

[dayglored]

> dayglored, the new ntfs_ng drivers can read/Write an NTFS partition without trouble.

Do they specify which version(s) of NTFS are supported for write? Microsoft adds features every so often and using different versions of Windows can create problems: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ntfs#Versions.

Any known limitations?

[papasmurf]

"Linux can't write to NTFS (by default). "

That used to be true. Starting with Ubuntu 8.04 and up (Hardy Heron) that capability has been included.

As well, even if you don't use that, there is an utility/driver called ntfs-3g that allows it.

[dayglored]

Yep, looks like my knowledge is out of date. I look forward to trying out these drivers -- I've been waiting a long time for stable NTFS write on Linux.

I wonder if somebody has the same for the Mac?

[papasmurf]

I saw THIS in an article on Lifehack. Seems that ntfs3g also works on Macs.

[Tennessee_Bob]

You mention that you want the Ubuntu machine to host a web site.

The intention is to just host it locally, within the firewall itself, rather than going to the outside world. I figure this will give me the opportunity to practice with it, before I do anything like going out to the public.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Question about Ubuntu server though -

I’ve got it up and running the file share ok at this time. I’m curious though as to what it would take to have this machine acting as a gateway between the internet and the home workstations.

Currently, the network is set up as follows - cable modem to router, router feeds the three workstations and the Ubuntu file share.

Can I have it going cable modem to Ubuntu, Ubuntu to the router - router to the workstations? I have two NICS in the Ubuntu box, so one could act as the incoming from the cable modem and the other outgoing to the router.

[ShadowAce]

You’ve already got a router. It has a firewall in it (probably). Why add another gateway?

[dayglored]

> I saw THIS in an article on Lifehack. Seems that ntfs3g also works on Macs.

Fascinating, thanks!

I do note this warning:

After installing ntfs-3g, all NTFS drives will disappear from the "Startup Disk" preference pane. Disabling or uninstalling ntfs-3g brings them back. It seems that this issue can't be solved, but only worked around since the Startup Disk preference pane doesn't recognize file system drivers that are not provided by Apple.

But since my BootCamp XP partition is FAT32, not NTFS, I might get away with it. Cool!

[evets]

This thread is worthless without pics.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Mine doesn't have the IB Consulting on it.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Why add another gateway?

Primarily, because I want the experience in doing it. I want to see what all can be done as far as control over a user's profile, limiting time online, etc.

[FrogBurger]

Can I have it going cable modem to Ubuntu, Ubuntu to the router - router to the workstations? I have two NICS in the Ubuntu box, so one could act as the incoming from the cable modem and the other outgoing to the router.

It's possible, and many people do it. However, since you'd need to configure your own firewall rules, this requires a good understanding of TCP/IP routing and of the iptables command. There are some packages acting as a GUI on top of iptables, but a good understanding of this command is critical to the operation of a gateway. So read up the tutorials on it and experiment, since you have two NICs.

Also, there is one good reason for which you might NOT want to use a PC as a gateway: reliability. A PC has rotating fans and hard drives that make its reliability lower than that of a full solid-state gateway. And when you gateway breaks down, you can't even look online for help!

Me, I use a Linksys WRT54GL router (designed to be easy to hack) and I flashed it with the free DD-WRT linux-based home gateway software, which has an excellent web interface AND a command line. The router has no moving part and can be bought new for less than $50.

If you want to experiment with Linux as a gateway, that's the solution I recommend.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Get yyourself a BIG drive...Seagate’s 1.5 Terabyte was going for $129 a few weeks ago...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I want to do some of this ...Guess I am thinking of haveing a server model...

cable modem to router ...to serverver with an 8 port swich connecting to the other computers and devices....have a printer I want to share...

[Knitebane]

Be careful, please. There exist allegedly "write-capable" Linux drivers for NTFS, but none that *in my experience* are guaranteed to work:

Allegedly? NTFS read/write in the Linux 2.6 kernel is exactly as guaranteed to work ast NTFS on Windows.

Don't believe me? Read your EULA: EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL AND CERTAIN OTHER DAMAGES. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR CONFIDENTIAL OR OTHER INFORMATION, FOR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, FOR PERSONAL INJURY, FOR LOSS OF PRIVACY, FOR FAILURE TO MEET ANY DUTY INCLUDING OF GOOD FAITH OR OF REASONABLE CARE, FOR NEGLIGENCE, AND FOR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY OR OTHER LOSS WHATSOEVER) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, THE PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT OR OTHER SERVICES, INFORMATON, SOFTWARE, AND RELATED CONTENT THROUGH THE SOFTWARE OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE, OR OTHERWISE UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PROVISION OF THIS EULA, EVEN IN THE EVENT OF THE FAULT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), MISREPRESENTATION, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF WARRANTY OF MICROSOFT OR ANY SUPPLIER, AND EVEN IF MICROSOFT OR ANY SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Truthfully, NTFS write support on Ubuntu works just fine.

Here's how to enable it.

[Knitebane]

Also, there is one good reason for which you might NOT want to use a PC as a gateway: reliability. A PC has rotating fans and hard drives that make its reliability lower than that of a full solid-state gateway. And when you gateway breaks down, you can't even look online for help!

Good point, although I've lost more power supplies than fans or hard drives.

That's why if you really care you'll install a pair of Soekris boxes. OpenBSD runs on them just fine and it ships with CARP. For about $400 a pair of load balanced, fail-over firewalls with no moving parts.